MJ on 35no. Score now well over 300. That, I'm afraid, is that, we won't win this test and will in all probability lose it. And even with a draw, then getting two wins to draw the series and retain the urn - I think not.

I've been saying for 8 months now that this lot are too good to keep failing. Clearly I've been wrong.

KP to easy to frustrate, if the selectors have any balls or another batsman he will not be playing at the MCG, time to give Root, Carberry, Stokes to have some chances. Bell is doing OK and will see how today goes but probably the one player I wouldn't drop. Cook helped it get going but the pressure seemed to be telling and the game plan went out the window. I'd like to have seen them bat first, might have helped a little.

Whatever happens with the bat they need to lay into them hard in the second innings and try and put some pressure on them.

I watched the first over today and went for a ride, wondered how many Englishmen would be left to bat when I came in, was expecting at least 1 or 2 really. Even if we knock them over for 50 this game and series is gone.

I was there yesterday and you could sense a growing frustration amongst the Aussies and the crowd as it looked although England were going to tough it out and stay on the wicket for a while. Even KP took his time getting some runs on the board and seemed to deflate Johnson for a while, he gave it away too easily in the end though.

From what I saw of today on tv it looked as though England had already thought they'd lost the ashes, seems to be a different mindset. I can't see them winning this one.

Maybe they'll let loose a bit more in the next 2 tests and show how they won the last series...